Eastin Elementary has joined an elite group of California schools receiving the highest possible score for academic achievement, according to the latest report on standardized test scores released May 21 by the California Department of Education.

The state released the 2007 Academic Performance Index (API) "base reports," including 1-10 rankings comparing individual schools, both to schools across the state ("statewide rankings") and to schools that are demographically similar ("similar-schools rankings"). Rankings are based on API scores from STAR (Standardized Test and Results) tests taken last spring.

Eastin became the first school in the New Haven Unified School District to receive a statewide ranking of 10, up from 9 for the past several years.

"We're proud of our students, their parents and the teachers and staff at Eastin,* New Haven Superintendent Dr. Pat Jaurequi said. "This is a tremendous accomplishment."

Eastin also made an impressive jump in its similar-schools ranking, scoring 7, up from 4.

"Scoring a 10 on the statewide ranking is a tribute to our staff, our students and their families, but frankly, I*m just as proud of the improvement in our similar-schools ranking," Eastin Principal John Mattos said.

"What makes me even more proud, though, is that we never had a conversation as a staff about being a 10 or raising our similar-schools ranking. We've just talked about doing what's best for our kids, and we've worked hard together to do that."

Alvarado Elementary School had a two-point improvement on its similar-schools ranking with a 7, up from 5. Two other New Haven schools - Alvarado Middle and James Logan High - also showed improvement in similar-schools rankings.

Four schools, however, declined in both statewide and similar-schools rankings.

"That's disappointing, obviously," Dr. Jaurequi said, "but I believe we have identified the work that has to take place and have started doing that work at all of our schools."

API scores and statewide and similar-schools rankings for New Haven schools (including Cabello Elementary, which closed at the end of the 2006-07 school year):